In Pirates of the Burning Sea players captain their own ship as a pirate, adventurer (a sort of privateer/merchant hybrid) or naval officer, with avatars being highly customizable. This MMO focuses on real time PvE and PvP combat, with players controlling their ship’s heading, speed, special abilities and attacks. In addition to impromptu encounters, it is also possible to conquer enemy ports and take on missions, some of which follow an ongoing story as your character develops.